Aa. Velichko et al., CLIMATE AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN THE TUNDRA AND FOREST ZONE DURING THE LATE-GLACIAL AND HOLOCENE, Quaternary international, 41-2, 1997, pp. 71-96
Analysis of palynological successions has enabled reconstruction of cl
imate variations throughout the Late Glacial and Holocene in the tundr
a and forest zones of northern Eurasia. Statistical analysis allows es
timation of mean annual precipitation, and mean annual and July temper
atures, based on palynological assemblages. Thus, the dynamic relation
ships between climate and vegetation changes can be established. Throu
ghout the Late Glacial and Holocene, climate fluctuations were more dr
amatic in eastern Europe than in Siberia, primarily as a result of the
influence of westerly air masses. In contrast, the ''autochthonous''
climate of Siberia, dominated by local air masses, was less prone to i
nfluence from climate changes elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, an
d shows only an attenuated Younger Dryas signal. Mid-Holocene warming
characterizes all of northern Eurasia, although the regions of Siberia
most influenced by continental climates show less pronounced cooling
during the later Holocene. Sharp changes between summer monsoonal and
winter anti-cyclonic regimes characterize the Pacific Maritime region.
(C) 1997 INQUA/Elsevier Science Ltd.